Geranium `Fireworks`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of geranium plant, Fireworks, characterized by its cascading growth habit; its continuous and exceptionally prolific blooming habit; its striking, almost primitive, single flower; and its distinctive dark green leaves with extremely dark zonation.

The present discovery, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name,Fireworks, relates to a new and distinct geranium plant.

BACKGROUND

Fireworks is a new and improved variety which has resulted from definitebreeding programs and experiments carried on by me in my greenhouses at821 Walnut Street, Batavia, Ill. Our experiments commenced in March,1977 and are being carried on continuously. This seedling, 78×027A(C-10), resulted from a cross between Frank Headley, an unpatented,variegated foliage dwarf geranium and Stadtbern, an unpatented standardzonal geranium.

Asexual reproduction of Fireworks has been accomplished from vegetativecuttings in my greenhouses in Batavia, Ill. Examination of plants sopropagated has demonstrated that the combination of characteristicsherein disclosed for Fireworks are firmly fixed and retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY

The new and patentable characteristics of Fireworks reside in itscascading growth habit, its continuous and exceptionally prolificblooming habit, its distinctive medium-sized dark green leaves withextremely dark zonation and its striking, almost primitive, singleflower.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

The photograph shows the plant and flower of a fully developed geraniumof the new variety, Fireworks.

BOTANIC DESCRIPTION The plant

Growth: Fireworks is an exceptionally prolific bloomer. The florets aresingle, almost primitive (ray type), with the two upper petals beingslightly narrower and shorter than the lower three petals. The flowerhead (truss) is of medium size and moderately resistant to shattering.The growth is procumbent in habit giving a cascading effect. Growth rateis rapid, producing a typical 10" flowering basket in 10-12 weeks fromfour 21/4" plants using standard commercial culture.

Blooming habit: Exceptionally prolific and continuous bloomer,throughout the year, outdoors or in the greenhouse. A mature 10" basketcommonly produces 20-24 heads at one time.

Inflorescence: Medium-size, open head, somewhat rounded, measuring31/2-4 inches in diameter.

Foliage:

Quantity.--Abundant.

Size.--Small, 1-21/2 inches across.

Color.--Ivy Green (0001060/2) with Oxblood Red (00823) zone. (The RoyalHorticultural Society Horticultural Colour Chart).

Texture.--Slightly pubescent upper surface and lower surface.

Stem: Slim, short internodes, free branching, procumbent habit, rapidgrower.

Petiole: Short, slightly longer than leaf. Same color as leaf.

The flower

Truss:

Size.--Medium-size, 31/2-4 inches in diameter.

Shape.--Open, a flattened globe as it opens.

Number of florets.--Variable, range from 4-15, average 10-11.

Lasting quality.--Average. Blooms remain 5-12 days, longer if cool anddry.

Bud:

Sepals.--Short, slightly pointed.

Color.--Cherry Red (722/1) (The Royal Horticultural SocietyHorticultural Colour Chart).

Form.--Pointed.

Florets:

Size.--11/4-11/2 Inches.

Petalage.--Single, five.

Color.--Dutch Vermillion (717) (The Royal Horticultural SocietyHorticultural Colour Chart). Color fades with age.

Texture: Soft and glowing.

Form: Modified primitive, upper petals 1/4" wide, lower petals 3/8"wide.

Lasting quality: Average floret lasts 4-8 days. The truss lasts up to10-12 days.

Behavior: Once the plant starts to bloom its exceptionally prolificblooming habit yields a striking display of soft glowing scarlet againstthe small dark-zoned foliage.

Having thus disclosed my invention, I claim:
 1. A new and distinctvariety of geranium plant, substantially as shown and described,characterized by its cascading growth habit; its continuous andexceptionally prolific blooming habit; its striking, almost primitive,single flower; and its distinctive dark green leaves with extremely darkzonation.